it's turning heads in washington. >> a top u.s. department of education official makes the rounds at frederick douglass high school. she is the assistant secretary of elementary and secondary education. she was on a mission to learn what it takes to improve schools. what do you think so far? >> i'm totally inspired. it's great to come to a school where people care and set a high standard and believe in their kids. >> but the change has not been easy. the school of half the size it was more than a decade ago due to a new academy of innovation and the principle. >> we're when great school and to great academies. very 21st century learning academy. these are things you will not see from the outside. >> they have an academic -- have met their academic target for the first time over 12 years. >> even know we do the job at all that, they're great teachers. >> the school has a state of the rbd and production program and a program geared toward music careers. >> you can see the difference. the effort level and enthusiasm, you can see that.